courchene



b 3950 T. P. COURCHENE 2,923,953

SOLE ATTACHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I l I l I ve ntor 1950 T. P. COURCHENE 2,923,953

sou: ATTACHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1960 T. P. COURCHENE SOLE ATTACHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 7, 1957 United States Patent 2,923,953 SOLE ATTACHING MACHINES Theodore P. Courchene, Beverly, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 7, 1957, Serial No. 695,056 8 Claims. (Cl. 1233.4)

This invention relates to improvements in machines for attaching soles to shoes with adhesive by the application of pressure and is illustrated herein as embodied in an improved hold-down for supporting and pressing a welt or other projecting marginal portion of a shoe against an outsole while pressure is applied to the bottom of the outsole during the attaching operation.

The purpose of the improved machines is to enlarge the scope of their adaptability and to insure a more reliable and uniform distribution of pressures on the projecting marginal portions of a shoe than heretofore obtainable, while avoiding the possibility of displacement or distortion of the projecting marginal portions during the application of pressure along the shoe bottom. As hereinafter illustrated, the improved hold-down is applied to a machine similar to that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,694,818, granted November 23, 1954, in the name of J. C. Cantley, with which pressure is applied to a shoe bottom by a pad and pad containing box similar to those disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,205,400, granted June 25, 1940, on application of S. J. Finn.

The features of the invention are included in a sole attaching press for lasted shoes, having a pad together with last and toe-engaging members, and means for applying pressure to a shoe disposed between the pad and the last and toe-engaging members, in which machine there is provided a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of a shoe being operated upon to support the projecting marginal portions thereof, and a cramping plate having converging hold-down actuating surfaces at opposite sides of the shoe being operated upon to cause a force to be applied to the bulging upper, increasing directly in proportion with that exerted on the shoe by the pressure applying pad. Conveniently, cramping plate are both supported upon a carrier mounted on the pad box of the machine for universal movement with relation thereto.

These and other features of after described and claimed, will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in right-hand side elevation of a portion of a machine embodying the features of the present invention, the rearward and base portions of the machine having been broken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly broken away and in section of the welt hold-down and its supporting carrier in the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the machine, including a shoe being operated upon, taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken along the line IVIV of Fig. 2, showing the carrier for the hold-down and a cramping plate therefor;

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of the hold-down and its articulated re-enforcing frame;

Fig. 6 is a further perspective view showing the manthe invention, as hereinthe hold-down and ner of mounting one portion of the upon another portion; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the toe portion of a shoe of the type intended tobe operated upon by the hold-down of the invention. I

The invention is herein illustrated as applied to a machine, such as disclosed in the Cantley and Finn patents, above identified and comprises a main frame 1, a pad box 2, a pad 4 in the box for engagement with the sole of a lasted shoe, lastand toe-engaging members 5 and 6, the latter of which comprises a compressible leather covered pad of rubber or other suitable material mounted on a block 8 adjustably secured to a second block 10 mounted in the machine for sliding movement in a direction lengthwise of the shoe. Also, between the last-engaging member and the block 10 is connected an equalizing mechanism for balancing the forces exerted on the shoe by the lastand toe-engaging members. To apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe between the pad box and the lastand toe-engaging members the pad box is mounted on pressure applying means, including a piston 12 projecting downwardly into a cylinder actuated by a hydraulic system, disclosed more fully in the Cantley patent. The pad box 2 has adjustably pivoted upon it, a forepart presser portion 14 carrying an anchor plate 16 secured by screws 18 to the forepart portion of the pad box. The anchor plate has a bearing lug through which passes loosely a vertical stud 26 formed at its upper end with a yoke 22 for supporting a welt hold-down arranged to engage the bulging upper of a shoe while being pressed againstthe pad 4. The holddown is so constructed that it is capable of being flexed to conform with the shape of the shoe upper, the parts of the hold-down at opposite sides of the shoe being movable toward and from each other.

Welt hold-downs of prior shoebottom pressing machines have been arranged to engage yieldingly with the bulging upper of a shoe being operated upon but on account of the extremely heavy pressures exerted on shoes by shoe bottom have frequently become displaced from proper operating position, affording. an opportunity for. damage to the shoe or to the hold-down itself.

In the present machine the improved hold-down is pressed yieldingly against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure applying means rather than by a simple limited yielding force, as in the prior shoe bottom prcssingma: chines. For this purpose the present hold-down is actuated to press both the bulging shoe upper and the projecting marginal portions of the shoe by a cramping plate 24 having converging surfaces 25 (Fig. 4). Instead of arranging the cramping plate to act directly upon the holddown, it is mounted to bring its converging surfaces to bear against a pair of supporting links 26 and '28 pivotally connected at their rearward ends toyokes 30 (see Figs. 5 and 6) mounted for swiveling. movement on two relatively movable side parts 32 and 34v ofan articulated angular frame arranged to reinforce and to secure in place an elongated flexible member 36. The member 36 has outer exposed faces forming a right angle to each other, for a purpose to be described. At their forward ends the links 26 and 28 are pivoted at 38 to a cross head 40 formed with a central bar 42 of a carrier for the hold-down. To guide the links 26 and 28 with relation to the movement of the hold-down carrier the rearward end of the bar 42 is secured integrally to-a block 44 having reduced spindle portions projecting through slots 46 (see Fig. 2) in the supporting links 26 and 28.

The cramping plate 24 is mounted on the hold-down carrier comprising the elements 40, 42. and 44 for uni versal self-adjusting movement against upper rounded re-enforcing frame pressing machines, these hold-downs surfaces of the links 26 and 28 which engage the converging surfaces on the cramping plate. For connecting the cramping plate for self-adjusting movement on the hold-down carrier the upper surface of the block 44 has attached to it by screws 48 and 50 a plate 152 connected to the lower end of a threaded stud 54.. The cramping plate has a forwardly projecting perforated portion formed by a lug S surrounding the stud 54 and between the upper surface of the lug on the cramping plate and a nut 56 threaded on the stud 54 is secured a compression spring 58, also surrounding the stud 54.

To apply a force to the hold-down it is pressed yieldingly against the bulging upper of a shoe with a preliminary pressure and the force is increased in proportion to that exerted by the pressure piston 12 (Fig. 1). For these purposes and upwardly extending portion of the cramping plate 24 is slotted (Fig. l) to receive a flattened end of a spindle 60 having an opening, in which is secured a pin 62 passing through corresponding openings in upwardlyprojecting portions of t e cramping plate. Slidingly mounted on the spindle 60 in en a ement with the cramping plate is a washer 64 actuated downwardly by the force of a compression spring 66 confined between the washer and a collar 68 on a hollow sleeve 70, the spindle 60 being slidingly engaged within the sleeve. At the upper end of the sleeve 70 is a i int f rmed bv a bal head surrounded by a correspondingly shaped socket 72 connec ed to a horizontal guideway 74 carried by a cross head 76 adiustably mounted in the mach ne frame. The arrangement is such that when upward pressure is first exerted by the piston 12 the shoe is restrained from corresponding movement bythe'lastand toe-enging members 5 and 6. which move slightly to adjust themselves properly and to distribute between them the pressure of the pad 4. Upon the application of further pressure by the piston 12 the yielding action of the lastand toe-engaging members 5 and 6 enables the pad box to be raised slightly higher from its position of initial engagement therewith, compressing the spring 66 and applying additional yielding downward pressure to the cramping plate 24. The additional pressure on the cramping plate increases the contracting force of the hold-down against the buldging shoe u per in corresponding proportion. In this way the likel hood of displacement of the hold-down is markedly decreased with greater uniformity in distributing the pressure along the bottom of the shoe together with other beneficial results.

To assist in the self adjusting action of the hold-down carrier, it is mounted for universal and sliding movements in a lengthwise direction with relation to the forepart presser portion 14 of the pad box. For this purpose the bar 42 is slidable lengthwise in a block '77 (see Figs. 1 and 2) mounted for pivotal movement in the yoke 22, the bar and yoke forming a universal joint. The yoke has 'secured'to its upper end a pair of inwardly directed pins 78 entering perforations in the sides of the yoke 22 and terminating at a suflicient distance from the bar 42 to avoid frictional engagement therewith.

The vertical stud for the yoke 22 is slidable vertically in the anchor plate 16 a distance limited by the under surface of the yoke 22 and a collar 80 on the stud. To maintain the hold-down carrier slightly elevated at its forward end the lower end of the stud 20 has secured to it a collar 81 and a spring 82 is stretched between the collar and a pin on the plate 16. The rearward ends of the supporting links 26 and 28 for the hold-down frame have projecting upwardly from them a pair of studs 83 (see Fig. 2) arranged to engage the cramping plate 24 under certain conditions and to maintain the cramping plate in proper operating relationship to the supporting links.

The articulated angular frame on the illustrated hold- -down, comprising the two parts 32 and 34, also has a separate part 84 (see Figs. 5 and 6) to reinforce the outer. right angle faces of the flexible member 36 along the outside ball portion of a shoe. member within the hold-down frame is provided with a concave surface 86 fitting the bulging portion of the upper 88 on a shoe above the crease and having a lower extremity entering the crevice formed by the crease between the bulging upper and a welt 90 (see also Fig. 3) attached to the upper by the usual form of a Goodyear welt inseam.

The bulge in the shoe upper is ofa last 92 on which the shoe parts are mounted, and although the curvature of the last which provides the bulge may vary somewhat from one portion of a shoe to another or from one shoe to aonther, a generally concave surface on the flexible member 36 will accommodate a wide range of shoe sizes and styles. The flexible member 36 is composed of a rubber-like material while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent displacement from the welt during the application of pressure to the shoe bottom.

The angular shape of the frame 32, 34 is such that it reinforces the flexible hold-down member 36 and maintains it in rigid contact with the shoe under all conditions. The two parts 32 and 34 of the hold-down frame are separated at their adjacent ends to enable relative movement as the flexible member 36 is bent to conform with a shoe. To prevent separation of the frame parts 32 and 34 along the flexible member they are joined yieldingly together by a spring 94 (Fig. 5) connected at its ends to studs 96 on the respective frame portions.

To support the frame part 84, it is provided with a slotted lug 98 within the slot of which is pivoted a yielding arm 100 rotatably supported 0" a screw 102 threaded into a swivel bracket 104 mounted on the frame portion 34 of the hold-down. The arm 100 has an upstanding projection between which and an opposing projection on the bracket 104 is compressed a spring 106 surrounding a stop screw 108 threaded into the bracket 104. By this construction the spring 106 exerts a yielding downward pressure on the frame part 84 so as to distribute the force of the spring 66 as the pressure applying piston 12 rises.

The hold-down frame part 84 also has yielding means for urging the flexible member 36 laterally against the bulging shoe upper independently of the action of the cramping plate. The swivel bracket 104 accordingly has a pivotal mounting on a vertical screw 110 passing through the bracket into a blo'ck 112'(Fig. 6) secured to the upper flange of the frame part 34. The bracket has passing through it a stop screw 114 adjustable for limiting the relative movement between the frame parts 34 and 84 and a laterally projecting perforated finger on the bracket 104 is connected to a spring 116 stretched between it and a pm 118 onthe frame part 34. The arrangement of the spring 116 is' such that it urges the frame part 84 inwardly toward the bulging upper of a shoe until the stop screw 114 engages a lip on the block 112, thus giving a preliminary shape to the flexible member 36 after a shoe has been removed from the press.

To assist in retaining the flexible member 36 within the articulated frame the different portions of the frame have secured to them by screws 120 a series of angular clips 122, the downwardly extending ends of which are received within notches of the flexible member.

With the hold-down constructed in the manner described an extremely uniform distribution of pressure is obtainable on a shoe bottom, enabling the parts, including an outsole 124 (see Figs. 3 and 7), to be cemented to the welt of a shoe with a greater accuracy in. con formity with the supporting last 92 and with a more uniformly flattened welt than is usual with shoes previously produced by the cement process as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. After attachment of the outsole 124 the welt 90 maintains its uniformly flattened condition without being twisted or wrapped about the The elongated flexible determined by the shape bulging shoe upper in a manner common to shoes having cement attached outsoles. With a shoe construction having a flattened welt of this type it is possible to ornament or imprint the surface of the welt more readily than with prior shoes to give it the appearance of a Goodyear lasted shoe, or in other respects.

Certain features of the invention herein disclosed form the subject matter of a divisional application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 798,275, filed March 9, 1959, relating to improvements in welt hold-downs.

The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated and a particular embodiment having been described, what is claimed is:

l. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a main frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with a shot sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to the shoe when disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, and a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, in combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means.

2. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a main frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with a shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to the shoe when disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, and a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, in combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means, and yielding means between the cramping plate and the machine frame for urging the cramping plate toward the pad.

3. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a main frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with a shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to the shoe when disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, and a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, in combination with a carrier for the holddown, a cramping plate mounted on the frame for universal movement with relation to the pad box, said cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means.

4. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a main frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with a shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to the shoe when disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, and a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, in combination with a carrier for the holddown, a cramping plate and a universal joint at one end of the pad box on which the carrier is slidingly mounted for movement lengthwise of the pad box, said cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means.

5. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a machine frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with the shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to a shoe disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, a carrier for the hold-down mounted on the pad box, in

combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means, and a pair of supporting links connecting the carrier with the hold-down and arranged to be engaged by the converging surfaces of the cramping plate.

6. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a machine frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with the shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to a shoe disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, a carrier for the hold-down mounted on the pad box, in combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means, a pair of supporting links connecting the carrier with the holddown and arranged to be engaged by the converging surfaces of the cramping plate, and a block on the carrier having reduced spindle portions projecting through slots in the supporting links to guide the links With relation to the movements of the carrier.

7. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a machine frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with the shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to a shoe disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, a carrier for the hold-down mounted on the pad box, in combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means, a pair of supporting links connecting the carrier with the hold-down and arranged to be engaged by the converging surfaces of the cramping plate, a block on the carrier having reduced spindle portions projecting through slots in the supporting links to guide the links with relation to the movements of the carrier, and a self-adjusting connection between the cramping plate and the block comprising a stud connected to the block and passing through the cramping plate and a compression spring surrounding the stud between the cramping plate and a nut on the stud.

8. A machine for pressing shoe bottoms having a main frame, a pad box, a pad in the box for engagement with a shoe sole, lastand toe-engaging members, means in the frame for applying pressure to the shoe when disposed between said pad and said lastand toe-engaging members, and a welt hold-down surrounding the bulging upper of the shoe to support a projecting marginal portion thereof, in combination with a cramping plate having converging surfaces disposed to press the hold-down against the bulging shoe upper with a force increasing in proportion to that exerted by the pressure means, and yielding means between the cramping plate and the machine frame for urging the cramping plate toward the pad, said yielding means comprising a sleeve connected to the machine frame by a ball and socket joint, a spindle secured to the cramping plate slidingly engaged with the sleeve, and a compression spring confined between the sleeve and the spindle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,432 Foster Sept. 19, 1916 2,097,870 Card Nov. 2, 1937 2,290,856 Amico July 28, 1942 2,349,068 Dawson May 16, 1944 2,423,878 Dawson July 15, 1947 2,428,061 Baker Sept. 30, 1947 

